Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums (one of which also contains never-before released material), three EPs, and one box set. Although their first two albums—40oz. to Freedom (1992) and Robbin' the Hood (1994)—were quite popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remains the band's only No. 1 hit single (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about ten million in the U.S. alone. Michael "Miguel" Happoldt and Marshall "Ras MG" Goodman contributed to several Sublime songs.
Following Sublime's dissolution, former members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh founded the Long Beach Dub Allstars in 1997, which also included many frequent Sublime contributors such as Michael "Miguel" Happoldt (former member of The Ziggens), Marshall Goodman "Ras MG" (former Sublime member), and Todd Forman (3rd Alley). LBDAS disbanded in 2002, due to several members of the band breaking a no-drug vow they had taken. In 2009, the surviving members attempted to reform the band with Rome Ramirez, a young guitarist and admitted Sublime fan from California. However, not long after performing at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name as they needed permission from Nowell's estate, which owns the rights to the Sublime name. This prompted the lineup of Wilson, Gaugh and Ramirez to change their name to Sublime with Rome, which has since released three albums, although Gaugh left the group shortly after the release of their 2011 debut Yours Truly.
With the mainstream success of their self-titled album, going five times platinum and earning worldwide airplay, Sublime's influence persists to this day. Sublime was one of the most popular bands of the third wave of ska, specifically characterized as ska punk. Sublime often combined punk rock and hardcore punk with hip hop, heavy metal, dancehall, reggae, ska, funk, and (21st century) surf music. Sublime also has been described as 'reggae rock'.
Their signature sound and their songs are often associated with the beach and coastal areas of Southern California, such as San Diego, Orange County, Venice Beach and Long Beach as well as areas of Northern California like Eureka. Over two decades after Nowell's death and the band's breakup, Sublime remains immensely popular throughout North America, especially in its state of origin, California.
Sublime's songs have been featured via soundtrack in a variety of media. Los Angeles alternative rock radio station KROQ has listed Sublime at No. 3 in their annual "Top 106.7 biggest KROQ bands of all time" list for the past six years in a row, behind Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, and No. 81 at the "Top 166 Artists of 1980–2008" list.
With over 17 million units sold worldwide, Sublime is one of the most successful, and "powerfully moving" ska-punk acts of all time influencing many modern reggae and ska acts.
April 16 1992
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was a riot on the streets
Tell me where were you?
You were sittin' home watchin' your TV
While I was participating in some anarchy
First spot we hit it was my liquor store
I finally got all that alcohol I can't afford
And then we turned that liquor store into a structure fire
Next stop we hit it was the music shop
It only took one brick to make that window drop
Finally we got our own P.A.
Where do you think I got this guitar that you're hearing today?
Because as long as I'm alive, I'ma live illegal
When we returned to the pad to unload everything
It dawned on me that I need new home furnishings
So once again we filled the van until it was full
Since that day my livin' room's been more comfortable
'Cause everybody in the hood has had it up to here
It's getting harder and harder and harder each and every year
I go in the store where their mother and kids
And I saw her when she came out she was gettin' some pampers
They said it was for the black man
They said it was for the mexican, but not for the white man
But if you look at the streets, it wasn't about Rodney King
It's bout this fucked up situation and these fucked up police
It's about coming up and staying on top
And screamin' 187 on a mother fuckin' cop
It's ain't in the paper, it's on the wall
So national guard, smoke from all around!
Homicide, never doing no time
Give me my share, my share
Gimme my share, I want it
Gimme my share, I need it now, I need it now
My share, a wicked one who doesn't wanna see me go
Just gimme my share, I want it, gimme my share
But you don't want to give it to me
You don't wanna see me go
Gimme my share, I want it, gimme my share
But there is a wicked one
Sublime's "April 29, 1992" is a song that describes the Los Angeles riots, which erupted after four LAPD officers were acquitted of using excessive force in the Rodney King incident, in which King was brutally beaten with metal batons. The song takes on a narrative style, with lead singer Bradley Nowell describing his own personal experiences during the riots, calling out those who were sitting at home watching the riots unfold on TV while he and others were out participating in the anarchy. The lyrics detail the looting of a liquor store, the acquisition of a PA system and even a personal guitar. Nowell's voice captures the anger and frustration of a community tired of oppression, and he highlights the racial disparities that led to the rioting.
The line "They said it was for the black man, they said it was for the mexican, but not for the white man" speaks to the feeling that the violence was justified, given the history of police brutality against black and brown communities. The final lines "Homicide, never doing no time / Gimme my share, a wicked one who doesn't wanna see me go" touch on the lack of accountability for police officers who kill innocent people, and the frustration of those who must deal with the consequences.
Interestingly, the line "It's getting harder and harder and harder each and every year" comes from the Jimmy Cliff song "Many Rivers to Cross," which is about his own struggles with poverty and racism in Jamaica. Nowell may have been making a connection to global struggles against oppression when he included this line in his own song.
Line by Line Meaning
April 29th, 1992
Referring to the date of the LA riots.
There was a riot on the streets
Referring to the civil unrest during the LA riots.
Tell me where were you?
Asking where the listener was during the riots.
You were sittin' home watchin' your TV
Suggesting that the listener was not present during the riots.
While I was participating in some anarchy
The singer was an active participant in the riots.
First spot we hit it was my liquor store
The singer's group targeted a liquor store as their first location to loot.
I finally got all that alcohol I can't afford
The looting allowed the singer to obtain alcohol that they wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise.
With red lights flashin' time to retire
The police arrived on the scene and it was time for the looters to leave.
And then we turned that liquor store into a structure fire
The looters set fire to the store before leaving.
Next stop we hit it was the music shop
The singer's group targeted a music shop as their second location to loot.
It only took one brick to make that window drop
The group was able to break into the store with just one well-placed brick.
Finally we got our own P.A.
The group was able to obtain a PA system from the music store.
Where do you think I got this guitar that you're hearing today?
The singer obtained their guitar from the music store they looted.
Because as long as I'm alive, I'ma live illegal
The singer is advocating for a life outside the bounds of laws and authority.
When we returned to the pad to unload everything
After looting, the group returned to their base to unload their stolen goods.
It dawned on me that I need new home furnishings
The singer realized that they needed new furniture.
So once again we filled the van until it was full
They went back to do more looting to obtain furniture and other household items.
Since that day my livin' room's been more comfortable
The fruits of their looting allowed the singer to upgrade their living situation.
'Cause everybody in the hood has had it up to here
The riots were the result of pent-up anger and frustration among residents of the area.
It's getting harder and harder and harder each and every year
The struggles of living in the area were getting worse each year.
I go in the store where their mother and kids
The singer went into a store where a woman and her children were shopping.
And I saw her when she came out she was gettin' some pampers
The woman was purchasing diapers for her child.
They said it was for the black man
The implication is that the items being looted were for the benefit of the black community. However:
They said it was for the mexican, but not for the white man
The singer rejects the idea that the looting was altruistic or to benefit specific racial groups~ the white community was excluded from such a supposed benefit.
But if you look at the streets, it wasn't about Rodney King
The riots were not only about the Rodney King verdict or occurring in response to an isolated event.
It's bout this fucked up situation and these fucked up police
The riots were the result of the larger societal problems of inequality and a corrupt, oppressive police force.
It's about coming up and staying on top
The riots were a means for disenfranchised communities to seize power and resources for themselves.
And screamin' 187 on a mother fuckin' cop
The violence and destruction inflicted during the riots was directed against the police force.
It's ain't in the paper, it's on the wall
The story of the riots and the message being communicated by its participants won't be found in mainstream media.
So national guard, smoke from all around!
The situation escalated to the point that the national guard had to be called in, resulting in chaos and destruction.
Homicide, never doing no time
The justice system is corrupt and ineffective when it comes to holding police officers accountable for violence.
Give me my share, my share
The singer demands their deserved portion of power and resources.
Gimme my share, I want it
The singer has experienced systemic inequality and wants their fair share.
But you don't want to give it to me
The systems of power and oppression are actively working against the singer's demands.
You don't wanna see me go
The resistance to the singer's demands is tied to a fear of the implications and power of the singer's community.
But there is a wicked one
The singer acknowledges that there are agents working against their demands and goals.
Who doesn't wanna see me go
This wicked force is specifically against the singer's goals and desires.
Gimme my share, I need it now, I need it now
The singer's needs and demands are urgent and significant.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Marshall Goodman, Bradley Nowell, Michael Happoldt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Barth
30 years ago today I was in the middle of this living 2 blocks off of Anaheim right near Temple Ave in Long Beach. It was wild. Sublime was the best band to capture the true essence of Long Beach.
Steve Jackson
I'm sorry but doesn't he say April 26 1992?? Is this a Mandela thing??
Danny Woodward
@Steve Jackson he does they say it, was a mistake bradley made and with the weight of the song it just sounded better so they kept it in
Jade Wong
@Steve Jackson The you t😂
Steve Jackson
Ok but January 6 2022 there was a riot at the capitol where were you. See just doesn't add up
Kam Troy
@Steve Jackson That wasn't a riot or any of the things the media called it.
X Q
30 years ago. Masterpiece. One of my favorite songs.
Mental Ward
You just beat me by 39 minutes! 😂👍
Aubrey Shelton
Yep 👍💯
F Davis
Sublime's very original sound was so unique, and kick ass they are classified as their own genre. This alone says a lot about the band's talent. I've never heard of another instance where a single group or artist was designated as their own genre. Sublime should be in the rock n roll hall of fame imo. They're truly freaking awesome!